Page 2 of Gideon

“Her real name or her fake name?”

I froze. A fake name? My instincts went on high alert. This wasn’t just a kidnapping—there was more to this story.

“Let’s go,” I said to Wilma, my voice low. “Don’t tell anyone about her. Something’s off.”

Wilma nodded. “Take her somewhere safe, Gideon.”

The girl looked up at me with those tear-filled eyes. “My fake name is Tina Turner. My mom thought it was funny because she said I’m named after a famous singer.”

I chuckled softly despite the tension. “What’s your real name?”

“Haley Reeves,” she said. “My mom is Laney Reeves, but her fake name is Ava Turner. We’ve been hiding from my grandpa. He’s the big boss, and he won’t let us leave. He always hits my mom when she argues with him. If you make him mad, he’ll kill you.”

My gut twisted at her words. This wasn’t just a family squabble—it was dangerous.

“Let’s get out of here,” I said, paying for my supplies. Bear climbed into the back seat with Haley, and I double-checked that no one was watching as we left town.

On the way to the cabin, I asked, “What was your dad’s name?”

“Gavin. He didn’t have a fake name. My Daddy is in heaven.”

I opened the cabin's windows and doors to air it out, then started a fire and cooked bacon and eggs. Haley ate quickly and then joined me for some fishing. She surprised me with her skill and even taught me a trick or two.

“I don’t want to eat the fish,” she said, looking at her catch. “I always let them go.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” I said, releasing it. “Where did you learn to fish?”

“From my mom. She’s the best fisher in the world. But she hasn’t fished since Grandpa took us.”

After she fell asleep, I opened my laptop and searched for Gavin Reeves. What I found wasn’t good. His father, Jonah Reeves, was a mob boss in Chicago. Gavin had left the family at eighteen, married Laney Dean, and moved to Oklahoma, where they had Haley. Gavin was killed while having dinner with his wife. Someone shot him in the head and then left.

This wasn’t just a runaway mom and daughter. They were fleeing from a mob boss.

I called River.

“I thought you were on vacation,” River said.

“I am on vacation, but I ran into a little girl running from a man. Her grandpa is Jonah Reeves; he’s high up in the mob in Chicago. “We have to make sure the guy doesn’t get Haley.”

“How did you manage all this on your first day of vacation?”

“Good timing, I guess. She was running across the street screaming. I hope he doesn’t go back and get her mother. Could you check to see if you can find Ava Turner or Laney Reeves? I need to find Haley’s mom before they kill her.”

“Send me what you got, and I’ll dig around. Gideon, it’s a miracle that you found that girl when you did. Does she know where her mother was when that man showed up?”

“She said they were at a motel. I have a feeling the mom will return to the grandfather’s home and demand her daughter back. She won’t know I have her with me.”

“Why don’t I get the girl and bring her here, and then you can find her mom? I’ll bring Kat with me. We’ll take a road trip. I wonder what state Haley and her mom were in when he took her.”

“I don’t know, but I’ll have to go to Chicago to see if Haley’s mother is there. It would be great if you could pick Haley up. Can you get here early in the morning?”

“Yes.”

“Great. I’ll see you then,” I said before hanging up. I decided to stay awake to make sure no one came sniffing around. I slept on the rocker on the front porch. Bear slept with Haley.

I had breakfast and coffee made when River and Kat showed up. I didn’t say anything about her being as big as a house. She still had few months to go before the twins were here.

“Hi, let’s have breakfast, and you can meet Haley.”

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